A seven-member delegation from the HOALiving family of companies returned from the 2026 Community Associations Institute (CAI) Annual Conference & Exposition with accolades, professional certifications, and renewed energy for the community association industry.
Michael Johnson, Sandy Lynn Johnson, Sarah Crawford Spanel, Tiffany Madsen, Madelyn Mills, Kimberly Graff, and Shane Toponce attended the three-day conference held June 3–5 in Fort Lauderdale. The team networked with thousands of community builders, participated in educational sessions, and celebrated significant professional milestones.
"I congratulate our employees from the HOALiving family on earning pinnacle credentials alongside thousands of community builders," said Michael Johnson, HOALiving CEO. "My sincere thanks to the CAI Board, volunteers, and CEO Dawn Bauman's team for an outstanding event. We're energized by the national initiatives discussed, the industry insights shared, and the community forged."
Rising to the Top
Two professionals from the HOALiving family were recognized at the conference for earning their PCAM (Professional Community Association Manager) designations —a prestigious credential that represents the peak of achievement in community management.
For Kimberly Graff, Community Manager, the moment held particular significance. "Earning my PCAM designation and celebrating that achievement with peers from across the industry was a true highlight," she said. "Having never walked for my high school or college graduations, crossing the stage to receive my PCAM was a uniquely meaningful moment and a proud personal accomplishment."
Graff emphasized the broader value of the conference experience, noting that it provided "valuable educational opportunities, new industry perspectives, and the chance to build lasting connections with colleagues, community managers, and business partners from around the country."
Tiffany Madsen, Director of Developing Communities and CAI Utah Chapter President, was also recognized for earning her PCAM credential. "Attending CAI National Conference was a great opportunity to connect with other professionals within the industry," Madsen reflected.
Industry Leadership and Recognition
HOALiving's leadership made a significant impact at the national level. Michael Johnson served on the CEO Search Task Force, which won an Organizational Impact Award at the conference. Additionally, Johnson and Aimee Winegar, Midwest Region Division President, were recognized for their work as members of the CAI Oklahoma Advocacy Task Force, underscoring HOALiving's commitment to advancing industry advocacy and governance at both the national and state levels.
Inspiration and Connection
The conference left a lasting impression on attendees from the HOALiving family. Madelyn Mills, Senior Community Specialist, praised the collaborative spirit and educational value of the event. "The educational sessions were informative and inspiring, offering new ideas and best practices that I can bring back to my own work," she said. "One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was the opportunity to connect with others in the industry. Building those connections, sharing experiences, and learning from one another reinforced the value of collaboration and the strong sense of community that exists within our profession."
Shane Toponce, Executive Vice President of Sales, highlighted keynote speaker Laila Ali's presentation. "Laila Ali's keynote was a standout, reminding me of the power of resilience, discipline, and intentional leadership," Toponce said. "It was an experience that inspired me to keep growing both personally and professionally."
Future Accomplishments and Successes
“This is just the beginning,” said Michael Johnson. “We look forward to celebrating our employees' achievements year after year.”
Interested in learning more about HOALiving's community management expertise and industry leadership? Contact HOALiving today to discover how we can support your community association's success.
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